Psych Scoop, 8/18/20

August 18th, 2020

The Psych Scoop is sent to all Psychology Undergraduate students and alumni every Tuesday throughout the academic school year. 

Share your news with psyadvis@umn.edu!

Psychology Advising Announcements

1. Psychology Undergrad Pre-Fall Semester Town Hall

Tuesday, September 1, 2020, 12:00 pm- 1:00 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Online, Zoom link sent out to RSVP list

This will be the first of a couple of planned opportunities in Fall 2020 for students to connect directly with the Department of Psychology leadership. In an effort to provide space for undergraduates to express their opinions, ideas, or concerns, the Psychology Department will host a Pre-Fall Semester Town Hall. Do you have feedback about your personal experience as a Psychology student? Any thoughts on the Department’s Strategic Plan? What is your reaction to the Department’s planning process to act to address racial injustice and inequity? If you are interested in attending, please fill out the Google form to RSVP. The Zoom meeting link will be sent out to those who RSVP in advance. If you are unable to attend this first event, you may leave comments/questions in the form; feedback can be shared anonymously at the Town Hall. More opportunities will be announced in Fall 2020 for those unable to attend this first event.

2. Psychology Undergraduate Student Advisory Council - Call for Applications!

Are you a psych major interested in helping the psych department at the U make progress? Do you want to improve your experience and other students’ experiences in the department? The Psychology Undergraduate Student Advisory Council (SAC) is the perfect way to do that! We are looking for passionate psych students to serve as members of the SAC. The SAC meets with the department leadership at least once a semester to voice their concerns as undergraduates. (All meetings for fall will be held virtually.) The position is for the entire academic year (2020-21) with the option of renewing membership for the next academic year. If you are interested in the position, please fill out the application by Friday, September 11th. We also encourage all interested in SAC to attend the September 1st Town Hall, if possible.

3. Fall 2020 Mode of Instruction

Curious how your classes will be offered during the Fall semester? You can use many resources to review your courses, including Schedule BuilderMyU (under the "Academics" tab), and OneStop.

Courses of Interest

4. New Course - PSY 1010 - Introduction to the Psychology of Pandemics - 1 credit - Fall 2020 Online!

This course will increase students’ understanding of how psychological science can inform our understanding of causes, consequences, and responses to pandemics, such as the COVID- 19/Coronavirus. In doing so, it will expose students to the different subdisciplines of psychology so they can understand the wide range of theories and methods employed in the field. This is one of the only psychology courses in which students will be taught by a wide range of psychology faculty with expertise in cognitive and brain science, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, industrial/organization psychology, personality, social psychology, and quantitative/psychometric methods.

This course does not count as Psychology Elective for most Psychology majors or minors - however, there is one exception. Students that transferred in a 3 credit PSY 1001 course may request that this 1XXX level course be applied to the 4th credit towards PSY 1001. You must email us at psyadvis@umn.edu to request an APAS update for this option.

5. EPSY 1281: Psychological Science Applied - 4 credits - Fall 2020

This course introduces students to applied psychology as a discipline and reviews fundamental principles of psychology through the lenses of applied and professional areas. Each topic will center around an applied problem faced by people in the real world. The course serves as a foundation for future coursework in education and health sciences. There will be two Zoom meetings/lectures with the professor each week. These lectures will be recorded so those that cannot attend at the scheduled time may view them when it best fits their schedule. Every Wednesday from 9:05 to 9:55 a.m. we will meet for a lecture. A survey will be sent out at the beginning of Fall 2020 to determine the best meeting time for a second session that will focus on feedback on assessments, general questions, etc. You and your group will be required to attend two meetings with your teaching assistant a week. These meetings are meant to guide you through the unit activity.

EPSY 1281 is online, asynchronous

Instructor: Martin Van Boekel (vanbo024@umn.edu)

Note: this course does not count in psychology majors or minors.

6. EPSY 3302 - Intro to Communications Skills for Education & Community Settings - 3 credits - Fall 2020

This course is great for anyone who wants to find ways to work better with others. Learn valuable communication skills and concepts as well as techniques to help you reflect on your own communication style.

EPSY 3302 is Wednesdays, 4:40 pm- 7:30 pm

**Completely Online

Instructor: Sherri Turner, Ph.D. (turne047@umn.edu)

Note: this course does not count in psychology majors or minors.

7. EPSY 5201-002: Programming Fundamentals for Social Scientists - 3 credits - Fall 2020

Learn the fundamental concepts and techniques of programming using the Python language—with an emphasis on techniques that are useful for social science research. This course takes an active learning approach to teach programming and computer-based skills that are increasingly important in modern social science research. Using Python 3, you'll learn software engineering topics such as writing robust code, testing, debugging, collaboration, version control, code repositories, and working with file systems. No prior programming experience necessary!

EPSY 5201-002 is Wednesdays, 2:30 pm - 5:10 pm

**Completely Online, synchronous and asynchronous

Instructor: Jeff Bye (jbye@umn.edu)

Note: this course does not count in psychology majors or minors.

8. EPSY 5401 - Counseling Procedures - 3 credits- Fall 2020

According to the American Counseling Association, counseling is the process of building relationships with individuals that empower them to accomplish mental health and wellness, education, and career goals. According to the Positive Psychology movement, counseling can help individuals and communities thrive, cultivating what is best within themselves, and enhancing their experiences of work, love, and play. In this course, you will learn a short-term model of counseling that is rooted in both client empowerment and positive psychology, aimed at helping clients, students, and others manage problems more effectively and develop opportunities more fully. The course relates to the COVID-19 pandemic in that students will learn skills to help others manage stress and isolation, overcome anxiety and fear, and make and implement personally-meaningful choices in their lives. This course is appropriate for individuals whose professional work includes counseling and interviewing and for those interested in advising, counseling, and consulting.

EPSY 5401 is Thursdays, 4:40 pm- 7:30 pm

**Completely Online

Instructor: Sherri Turner, Ph.D. (turne047@umn.edu)

Note: this course does not count in psychology majors or minors.

Events

9. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program: History, Evolution and Possible Benefits

Wednesday, August 19, 2020, 12:00 pm- 12:45 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Online

This webinar will highlight the history and efficacy of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn more than 30 years ago at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Research on MBSR and the possible benefits of the comprehensive 8-week program will be discussed, and an overview of the program’s content, objectives, and participant expectations will be provided. Participants will be offered a short, guided mindfulness exercise and invited to ask questions about the MBSR program and mindfulness practices. Information will also be provided about the Center’s other mindfulness offerings and resources. Please contact Molly Buss at bussx057@umn.edu as far in advance as possible if you require accommodations or if you have any questions or comments. RSVP here.

10. Virtual Town Hall with John Coleman

Wednesday, August 19, 2020, 7:00 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Online

Please join us for our second virtual town hall to hear updates from Dean John Coleman on what’s happening in the College of Liberal Arts. You’ll hear from college leadership on a number of topics on how CLA is moving forward in the fall, including, fall teaching, learning, research, instruction and learning spaces, community health and safety, CLA’s diversity, and equity planning. After opening remarks, the panelists will take questions from the audience. RSVP here.

11. Human Rights in Action: Student Activism, Methods, and Strategies

Thursday, August 20, 2020, 12:00 pm- 1:00 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Online

UMN students in the Master of Human Rights program are often asked, “What exactly are you studying?” and “What will you do with your degree?” For answers, just look at what students and alumni are doing right now. They are actively promoting racial justice, equality, and human rights in the Twin Cities and beyond, using methods they honed in their studies. From documentation to policy analysis, to quantitative and qualitative research, to protest, to direct support to communities, they are using their skills to champion human rights at this crucial time. As the final program in the Humphrey School's Summer Seminar Series, join us for a conversation with Master of Human Rights alumni and students about their human rights strategies, tools, and action. RSVP here.

Research

12. *Credit* Decision-Making Laboratory

I will have a weekly or biweekly meeting with the students to help them decide to either do a literature review, help in an existing project, or design a new project. Although no in-person research can be conducted, they can take the time to develop a research question (with our help) and design a project, including both methods and power analysis. This will not only gives the student experience in developing a project from scratch but also if they continue with my lab for the Spring semester, this will give them time to prepare everything to start an experiment, and submit a preregistration, so to collect data in the Spring. If at that time it also seems likely that the Spring semester will be remote, then the experiments will be designed so that they can be performed online. In addition, throughout the semester they will also be attending lab meetings and presenting at a lab meeting. This will give them a more complete experience of what it is to work on a research lab. Email Iris Donga Vilares at ivilares@umn.edu for more information.

13. *Credit* I/O Psychology Undergraduate Research Assistant Opportunity [VIRTUAL]

We are looking for three motivated and responsible students to assist with a current research project on corporate social responsibility in Professor Deniz Ones’ Corporate Social Responsibility Research Lab, headed by Phoebe Hessen, for credit in PSY 5993. The research project is focused on understanding the content of organizations’ socially responsible initiatives. RA’s would work closely with a Ph. D. student to carry out responsibilities including conducting literature reviews and background research, collecting critical incidents of socially responsible initiatives from organizations’ sustainability reporting, reading, and making judgments about these incidents (i.e., coding), and data analysis. Weekly meetings will be held to discuss progress and assist with any difficulties (held virtually through Zoom until further notice). Prospective applicants should fill out a brief application here. Please contact Phoebe Hessen at hesse179@umn.edu with any questions or for more information. The deadline to apply for a Fall Semester position is September 1st.

14. *Credit or Volunteer* Online Research - Psychology of Environmental Sustainability (Green), Fall 2020

Professor Deniz Ones’ Organizational Environmental Sustainability “Green” research lab, headed by Yagizhan Yazar & Yilei Wang, will be conducting an online research program. The program can be taken in exchange for PSY 5993 (3 credits) for the fall semester and/or by volunteering. During this program, the participants will: 1) Gain experience in research on organizational environmental sustainability; 2) assist in data collection, data entry, and statistical analysis; 3) receive instruction in introductory statistical analysis in R, introduction to modern machine learning, and natural language processing techniques; and 4) learn about cutting-edge research in environmental sustainability in and of organizations, and other I-O related topics. Tips and suggestions for pursuing advanced degrees in I-O psychology will be shared. The program will start with an intensive onboarding training from 8/31 to 9/4. Afterward, the program requires approximately 20 hours of commitment per week, through October (see the schedule here). The number of participants in this research experience is limited to 16. We are especially interested in participants who can read and understand the following languages: Arabic, Hebrew, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese. The application is open until August 21st and may be accessed through this link. Questions may be e-mailed to Yilei Wang at wang6568@umn.edu and Yagizhan Yazar at yazar001@umn.edu.

15. *Credit or Volunteer* Research Volunteer Opportunity

Drs. Scott Sponheim, Nick Davenport, and Seth Disner are looking for volunteer research assistants to work in the Cognition and Brain in Psychopathology lab at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Volunteers will assist with projects investigating the neurologic effects and treatment outcomes related to traumatic brain injury and stress disorders in military service members. The projects combine clinical assessments with biological techniques, such as genetic analysis, electroencephalography (EEG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Responsibilities for volunteer research assistants may include assisting with recruitment, chart review, cognitive assessment, collection/management of genetic samples, and data entry. This opportunity is eligible for PSY 4993 credit. We require a commitment of at least 10 hours per week. (NOTE: During the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, this position will be modified so that the majority of responsibilities can be completed remotely. However, there will be some responsibilities that require in-person access to Minneapolis VA facilities. Time spent on site will be staggered amongst volunteers and study staff to promote social distancing.) Successful candidates typically have a 3.5 GPA or higher, have junior or senior level credits and may have an interest in pursuing a higher degree in psychology or related fields. If you are interested, please send a copy of your unofficial transcripts, cover letter, and resume to Alison Gammons at gammo025@umn.edu.

16. *Credit* PSY 5993 Opportunity for research in Auditory and Music Perception

The Auditory Perception and Cognition lab, under the direction of Professor Andrew Oxenham, is looking for motivated undergraduate students to work on research projects this fall. Potential projects include: 1) Absolute and Relative Pitch Perception; 2) How do we know when music is out of tune?; 3) Enhanced captions for people with hearing loss; 4) Simulating the sound of a cochlear implant. Students will work directly with one of our lab researchers, including weekly online one-on-one meetings, lab meetings, and regular email interactions. The research project will involve online research, collecting and analyzing data, and learning more about sound and hearing. The project may be used to fulfill the requirements for a Capstone project, and it may be possible to continue in the lab into the Spring. If you are interested, please email Professor Andrew Oxenham at oxenham@umn.edu with your unofficial transcript and a brief statement of interest.

17. *Credit* PSY 4993/5993 Opportunity with Prosocial Research Projects

We are looking for one or two motivated undergraduate students to assist with two current research projects. Due to the nature of these projects and the virtual nature of the fall semester, successful students will need to be self-motivated. Briefly, students will work with existing datasets by cleaning/recoding variables, perform statistical analyses, and related organizational tasks. There is a strong preference for those who have some familiarity with the R statistical software as well as being interested in intellectual giftedness and/or volunteering. Please contact Joshua Braverman at brave044@umn.edu with any questions or to express interest. The priority deadline to apply for this fall semester position is August 24th at 5:00 pm with a final deadline of August 31st at 5:00 pm.

18. *Credit* PSY 5993 [Virtual or In-Person] Opportunity with Professors Ones & Krueger

Student research projects involve working with a range of electronic databases to identify and code relations of DSM-V personality scales to external variables, including behaviors and outcomes. Students will work under the direction of Professors Ones and Krueger to explore the nomological network of maladaptive personality traits. Students interested in this opportunity are asked to commit one full academic year towards effort on the research project. During the Fall, students will work with Dr. Ones to code studies for a meta-analysis. Dr. Krueger will provide guidance and feedback for projects. Both professors will work with students to help them develop their research projects. Students will meet with their faculty mentors regularly for project assistance and consultation (meetings held virtually via Zoom until further notice; please note Virtual and In-Person options when registering for the course). For Seniors, this project can be used to fulfill the requirement for their Capstone Project. For honors students, this project can provide them a project and data for Honors theses. Some topics of interest for this project may include maladaptive personality traits as they relate to everyday behaviors, work performance, or cognitive ability. If you would like to learn more about this credit opportunity for PSY 5993, please email a copy of your transcript and resume to Dr. Ones at onesx001@umn.edu by September 3rd.

19. *Credit or Volunteer* Social Interaction Lab Seeking Undergraduate RAs

Dr. Jeff Simpson’s Social Interactions Lab is seeking enthusiastic, conscientious, and detail-oriented students. We will be hiring research assistants (RAs) for projects about romantic relationships and parenting. These projects will involve a variety of tasks including behavioral coding and data management. You will be able to gain valuable skills in hands-on research and understanding human behavior. All tasks will be completed remotely. Prospective research assistants should be able to commit approximately 6-9 hours of work per week over the semester. Preference will be given to students that are able to commit for more than one semester. RAs are also expected to attend weekly lab meetings, where they will learn more about social psychological research and careers in psychology. To view more about the opportunities we offer to our undergraduate RAs and to get tips on what we look for in our applicants, please visit our lab website. To apply, please visit the following link.

20. *Credit or Volunteer* Undergraduate Volunteer Research Assistant in Anxiety Laboratory

The laboratory of Dr. Matt Kushner is looking for an undergraduate volunteer research assistant to assist in an ongoing study in the Department of Psychiatry. The purpose of the study is to test a computer-delivered therapy for alcohol use disorder and anxiety. Primary responsibilities include data entry with the possibility of completing participant appointments in the future. We require a commitment of at least 10 hours per week with preferred availability in the afternoons. Those able to make a multiple-semester commitment will be given priority. If you are interested, please send a copy of your resume to Nikki Degeneffe at degen022@umn.edu.

Scholarships

21. Sprout Health Group Healthcare Scholarship

Sprout Health Group is offering a $1,000 scholarship to students studying a healthcare-related field, including psychology. Selection is based on a 500-word essay describing why the healthcare field inspires you and how you intend to use your degree. Winner(s) will be selected based on a personal story, need, and practical application of degree. Preference is given to applicants pursuing a career in addiction treatment and mental health.

Resources

22. Nutritious U Food Pantry Available Over Summer!

The Nutritious U Food Pantry will be offering food to students one day per week at Coffman Memorial Union during the summer months. Students in need can request a bag of groceries using this Food Pantry ordering form. Students can pick up their bag of food at Coffman on Wednesdays from 3-6 pm OR they can choose to have their food delivered to their residence on Wednesday afternoons. Delivery is available for students who live in the following zip codes: 55455, 55454, 55414, 55108, and 55408. Not living on campus? Here are some Minnesota food resources.

23. New Racial Justice Resources Page Available

The Race, Indigeneity, Gender & Sexuality Studies initiative has compiled resources for racial justice in a new website. Check it out today.

24. Empowering Multicultural Students for Careers in Medicine Seminar

This seminar is designed for underrepresented minority pre-medical students, however, all pre-meds are welcomed to apply. The eight-week series is presented each year, September through November. The 2020 seminar starts September 24, 2020, and ends on November 19, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this seminar will be offered ONLINE/VIRTUAL ONLY this semester. Students meet virtually (via zoom platform) every Thursday from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm. Attendance sessions are 90 minutes and cover topics such as admissions, MCAT, AMCAS personal statement and a supplemental application, interviewing, financing your education, insight from current medical students and physicians, and creating an action plan and applying. The application deadline is August 31stapply today.

25. Student National Medical Association (SNMA) Mentorship Program

Student National Medical Association (SNMA) Mentorship Program is now accepting applications for the 2020-2021 school year! As an organization, one of SNMA's goals is to support students as they pursue their medical education. The mentorship program pairs current medical students with pre-medical students to offer support and advice throughout the medical school application process. In addition, the program offers optional small group sessions in which groups of mentor/mentee pairings can meet and discuss different aspects of the pre-med process, including extracurriculars, MCAT studying, gap year activities, and the AMCAS application. All pre-medical students with a strong interest in a career as a physician are eligible to be mentees. However, pre-medical students of minority heritage are strongly encouraged to participate. Students of sophomore standing and above, as well as those who have graduated, will be given preference. Find more information and application here. The deadline to apply is September 7th.

Jobs/Internship Opportunities

IMPORTANT: Organizations listed below are not necessarily affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Psychology or Psychology Undergraduate Advising. Please exercise the same discretion you would in viewing any other source.

26. Caregiver - English Rose Suites

Students, start now making a difference in the lives of people with dementia and earn while you’re learning! English Rose Suites will help you build your knowledge and understanding of dementia and other neurological disorders. Learn the meaning of true holistic care from dementia experts. You’ll be part of a team providing hands-on care, and just as important, building loving relationships that enhance the quality of life for your residents. English Rose Suites is a residential care provider located in Edina, offering flexible work schedules and highly competitive pay! Work as little as every other weekend or as much as full time during your breaks and summer vacation. You will start at $15-$18 per hour based on your experience with the potential for a raise after 90 days. No experience or certification necessary and we provide paid training! Contact Jane Geiger at jgeiger@englishrosesuites.com for more information.

27. Health Science Specialist

A funded VA intervention study is seeking a part-time (25-30 hours/week) interventionist to provide individual psychotherapy services to individuals who have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and moral injury. Interventionists will offer 12 sessions of either Adaptive Disclosure or Present Centered Therapy. Services will be offered through telehealth. Training will be provided and the incumbent will participate in weekly supervision calls with licensed psychologists and consultation meetings with study therapists. The position will last for 1 year. A Master's degree in social work or a doctoral degree in psychology is desired. Experience working with veterans with PTSD and manualized interventions is required. Email Tasha Nienow at tasha.nienow@va.gov for more information.

28. Research Coordinator Position: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatments

We have an opening at the Center for Veterans Research and Education (CVRE) for a full-time Research Coordinator working on two randomized clinical trials examining psychotherapies for PTSD. The primary aim of the first study (COMPASS) is to determine which of two evidence-based strategies for treating post-traumatic stress disorder is more effective, acceptable and feasible for patients with comorbid substance use disorder: trauma-focused therapy (Prolonged Exposure or Cognitive Processing Therapy) or non-trauma-focused therapy (Present Centered Therapy). Additional study information is available at https://www.pcori.org/research-results/2019/comparative-effectiveness-trauma-focused-and-non-trauma-focused-treatment. The primary aim of the second study (CF-CPT) is to examine the impact of a case-formulation adaption of Cognitive Processing Therapy on the functioning and PTSD symptoms of a national sample of Veterans. Both studies will be conducted at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System within the Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, a VA Health Services Research Center of Innovation. See the link for position details, required qualifications, and application instructions.

29. Department of Psychology - Communication Student Admin Support

The Department of Psychology is searching for an undergraduate student worker to fill a new position, Communication Student Admin Support. They are looking for applicants with previous communications experience. To read more about the position, and/or to apply, visit UMN Job Search Site and search for the job opening ID 337247 under "Students".

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